Zucchini is blowing up all over the food blog world right now and I am absolutely loving it! I’ve seen everything from breads, to cookies, to cakes, to appetizers, and sooooo much more! What’s funny is when I was a kid I despised zucchini. I hated the texture and lack of flavor. Fortunately I grew out of that phase and am now obsessed. Not only do I love zucchini to eat zucchini, but I’m growing some in my garden right now. If you follow me on Instagram I’ve been sharing a few pictures of what I’ve been harvesting recently. Right now I’ve picked a couple handfuls of cherry tomatoes, a few zucchini, and more basil than I know what to do with. Last week I decided to put one of my fresh picked zucchini to good use and use it in my favorite turkey meatloaf recipe turning it into Turkey Vegetable Meatloaf.
The original recipe for this turkey meatloaf comes from one of my older, but still good cookbooks called, Eating For Life. I love this recipe for several reasons. First of all it uses turkey, which I prefer when it comes to meatloaf. I know, you are probably thinking how dry it must be, but oh how wrong you are! This meatloaf is in fact super moist. The moistness comes from the addition of oats and salsa, and in my new version, the shredded zucchini and carrot make it some of the most moist turkey meatloaf I’ve ever had.
Instead of using whole eggs for the binder in this meatloaf it uses only egg whites helping keep the cholesterol and fat to a minimum. We had our meatloaf with a delicious garden salad using the tomatoes from the garden, but it would be wonderful with some mashed potatoes and green beans too, classic diner style! If you are a ketchup lover like me, a couple squirts on top is the perfect topping for it.
This Turkey Vegetable Meatloaf is also perfect for leftovers the next day. We ended up having it again for dinner, but another delicious way to have it is on a sandwich. Seriously, if you’ve never made yourself a meatloaf sandwich you need to get on that, you are missing out! If you are looking for a delicious, moist, veggie packed, and healthy meatloaf to add to your arsenal of recipes make it this one! The flavor and moist texture will forever change your opinion of turkey meatloaf.
I made this last night and received a round of applause! So tasty. Almost the entire loaf got eaten up when I was hoping to freeze it for nomming throughout the week. Oh well. I guess I’ll just have to make more! Shucks. As a texture girl, this is probably the best meatloaf I’ve ever eaten. I’m drooling a little just thinking about it…
Thanks so much for trying out the meatloaf! I’m happy to hear everyone liked it so much! :-)
This was, by far, the best Turkey Meatloaf I have ever made and served. It was easy and healthy and tasted so good!
Thank you for sharing!
You are so sweet Michelle! Thanks so much for trying out the recipe, it’s my favorite turkey meatloaf as well!
This sounded great until I got to the salsa – can I substitute something else or does the salsa make it moister? Thank you and look forward to a comment.
Hi Linda. I haven’t made this meatloaf without the salsa. The salsa does add quite a bit of moisture to the meatloaf. If you don’t like salsa you could try leaving it out although I don’t suspect it will be as moist. Another idea would be to use marinara sauce instead of salsa. I hope one of these alternatives works for you!
Hi Danae!
thank you for the website and this recipe, it looks really great! however, as someone with celiac and other food allergies, it is super important that i avoid gluten and dairy…just wanted to let you know that the knorr vegetable mix does contain both. the recipe, as written, is not dairy and gluten free, but i am going to come up with a substitute or maybe just make it as is without the mix and see how it turns out! i am hoping it still turns out moist and delicious!
thanks!
Hi Kellie! Thank you for checking out my website and for letting me know that Knorr is not gluten free. I have edited the post so that the recipe does not mention the meatloaf being gluten free. For a substitute you might try sauteeing some onion and carrots and adding in some more spices to the meatloaf. Essentially that is all that is really in the Knorr mix anyways. Thanks for catching my error!
Danae! I have this in the oven right now…will let you know how we like it. Hope all is well with you guys!
Yay! Thanks for trying it out, hope you guys love it! Miss you!
Having this for dinner tonight! I can’t wait!
Yay! I’m so excited to hear that, I hope you love it!
It was so great! Definitely will be in our normal dinner rotation :)
Thanks so much for trying it Deanna! I’m so happy to hear you liked it!
I love that you have zucchini in this! I love the idea of it in meatloaf!
And gorgeous photos – the light is so pretty!
Aww thanks Ashley! Zucchini is by far my favorite vegetable right now, I want to put it in everything!
What a great way to use up garden zucchini! I love a good meatloaf with lots of extras thrown in. This looks delicious!
Thanks Sherri, I’m with you, the more extra goodies in meatloaf the better!
never made a turkey meatloaf before.. definitely need to give this recipe a go!
Looks Amazing! :-)
Oh my gosh this look amazing!! Love all the vegetables thrown in here ;)
I never make meatloaf. I don’t remember my Mom ever making it either, so I guess that is why I just never think of it. But I really like this lightened up healthier version!
Thanks Annie! You should definitely give it a try!
This meatloaf needs to happen here soon. Love how healthy it is!
Thanks Matt, it’s always been one of my favorites!